320 
Birds. 
THE EED GROUSE. (Lagopus scoticus.) 
" High on exulting wing the Heath-Cock rose, 
And blew his shrill blast o'er perennial snows." 
Rogers 
This bird is called by some ornithologists tho Moor 
Cock, and by others Bed Game. The beak is black and 
short ; over the eyes there is a bare skin of a bright red. 
The general colour of the plumage is red and black, 
variegated, and intermixed with each other, except the 
wings, which are brownish, spotted with red, and the 
tail, which is black; the feet are covered with thick 
feathers down to the very claws. It is common in the 
north of England, in Scotland, and in Wales ; and not 
only affords great diversion to the noblemen and gentle- 
men of those countries who are fond of shooting, but also 
repays them well for their trouble, as the flesh is very 
delicate, and holds on our table an equal place with that 
of the partridge and the pheasant. The season of Grouse 
shooting commences on the 12th of August. In winter 
they are found in flocks of sometimes fifty to one hundred 
in number, which are termed by sportsmen packs, and 
become remarkably shy and wild, seldom allowing the 
sportsman to approach them within one hundred yards. 
